Aeroponic cloners... are they worth it?

[ThailandBound]

I'm contemplating building a DYI cloner and am wondering if it is worth the expense. Although it will only cost about $100 to build, I don't want to build something that may not work all that well. The literature I have read from the commercial makers of these things is that you will get root growth in about 3 days to a week, and at 2 weeks you should have a decent root mass in order to plant it out. I've attempted clones twice using Root Riot cubes and Clone-X gel, but I've only gotten about a 50 percent success rate... according to the aeroponic cloner guys, with one of their machines I should get near if not 100% success, so that is why I am asking. I'd like to clone and grow out 30 clones every two months, I do have the permits to do so, so no worries there. Thinking clone at beginning of flower, lets roots develop for two weeks, veg for 6 more weeks in gallon pots, then put out to flower (eight weeks give or take a few days). But it really all depends on the cloners and how well they work.

If you have one. How far are the heads from the bottom of the lid? How long does it take to root enough to pot up the cuttings? Do you run the water pump 24/7 or cycle it on and off. I have heard 1 minute on every 5 minutes, 10-15 minutes on then off 10-15 minutes, and of course... to run the pump 24/7. Supplemental lighting... what are you using?

Anyway, I welcome all thoughts and advice!

 

[DustBomb]

Yes, worth it.

1.Heads are maybe 5-6 from top
2. Usually 7-14 days
3. Usually 30sec to 1 min On w/ 10-20 mins off.
4. Corner of the veg tent. Not much light is needed. Maybe a cfl over them.

 

[fragileassassin]

100000% worth it.
Though if you're spending $100 to make one, I hope that includes a light, timer, and tent.
There are several commercially available options under $100 in a lot of countries.
You should be able to build one for around $50.
I usually get first signs of roots in the 7-10 day range. I've had nearly 100% success rate since I started adding the dyna gro KLN and pro-tekt to it.
I use 15minmin on 15 off to control water temps. If I leave it on any longer my water gets too warm or I'd leave it on 24/7 if I could.
They dont need much light, I use a cheap little T8 flourecent over mine.

 

[ThailandBound]

100000% worth it.
Though if you're spending $100 to make one, I hope that includes a light, timer, and tent.
There are several commercially available options under $100 in a lot of countries.
You should be able to build one for around $50.
I usually get first signs of roots in the 7-10 day range. I've had nearly 100% success rate since I started adding the dyna gro KLN and pro-tekt to it.
I use 15minmin on 15 off to control water temps. If I leave it on any longer my water gets too warm or I'd leave it on 24/7 if I could.
They dont need much light, I use a cheap little T8 flourecent over mine.

Well, that $100 is kind of an arbitrary, worst case scenario. I've looked a bunch of these cloners online and it seems shipping runs about $30 to Hawaii... so that is why I figure I can make one for less. I think your results are great, and for me, I'd be definitely happy with that. The ambient air temperature here is in the upper 60's to mid 70's most of the time, so I figure a shorter on/off cycle like yours might be in order to keep the water temps down. Thanks for the reply... looking forward to giving this a go!

 

[sarahJane211]

Just made an Aeroponic cloner for around $15.
The pump was the most expensive part at $7 (Sonic AP 1200), and the 2 gallon bucket the cheapest at $1.50c.
Don't know if it'll work ....... just turned it on ....... a COVID-19 isolation experiment, started 2nd April.


I also have an Ultrasonic mister cloner experiment, the mister was just lying around (original cost $30).
Pulled the mister head off, stuffed a cutting in the top, surrounded by a cardboard box.
The cutting is looking very perky (started 30th March)

 

[Hahahatim]

100000% worth it.
Though if you're spending $100 to make one, I hope that includes a light, timer, and tent.
There are several commercially available options under $100 in a lot of countries.
You should be able to build one for around $50.
I usually get first signs of roots in the 7-10 day range. I've had nearly 100% success rate since I started adding the dyna gro KLN and pro-tekt to it.
I use 15minmin on 15 off to control water temps. If I leave it on any longer my water gets too warm or I'd leave it on 24/7 if I could.
They dont need much light, I use a cheap little T8 flourecent over mine.

View attachment 4507468View attachment 4507469

What size pymp do you run?

 

[Budget Buds]

Yeah they are worth it, I have no idea why it would cost 100 bucks to build one though, 5 bucks for the pvc, 10 bucks for the pump, 10 bucks for the container, 10 bucks for net cups and neoprene collars, 5 bucks for the sprayers